Abe’s decision comes after the price tag for the stadium, designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, doubled from ¥130 billion to ¥252 billion (US$2.1 billion) almost overnight, and with no explanation for the increase.
Public anger over the stadium’s exorbitant construction costs has proven to be too much of a liability for Abe, especially while he is trying to push a number of unpopular defense bills through parliament.
In addition to the public battle, there has also been an ongoing verbal battle between the central government and Yoichi Masuzoe, Tokyo’s governor, over what proportion of the new construction costs would be paid by the central government and the capital.
The prime minister decided to appease the public, saying his decision comes after “listening to the voices of the people and the athletes.” Abe told reporters on Friday, “I’ve decided to send the current plan for the new National Stadium . . . back to the drawing board. I made the decision today because I’m firmly convinced that (a new stadium) will be completed by the opening of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Of course, the change in plans has now put the 2019 Rugby World Cup games in jeopardy because there won’t be a stadium. Abe acknowledged that setback when he spoke with reporters.
According to the Financial Times, people close to the goings-on inside parliament said Abe’s decision was a “calculated response” to his recent dip in the ratings. Recent polls show his popularity rating dipping to 40 percent, based on public doubts about the defense legislation news. The stadium construction costs only added fuel to already smoldering discontent.
“After being accused of steamrollering the security bills through parliament and ignoring the protests going on outside his own office, [Mr Abe] identified the Olympic stadium as an area where he could show that he was listening and reacting to the public objections,” said one senior government adviser.
According to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the government will finish up drawing up a new plan for a stadium, and present it sometime in the fall. The new plan will also include a cap on construction costs.
